Land promotion
Our team works hard to find new ways to bring major residential and commercial schemes forward through planning, providing vital new homes and jobs. Come help us create the thriving places of tomorrow.
Our team works hard to find new ways to bring major residential and commercial schemes forward through planning, providing vital new homes and jobs. Come help us create the thriving places of tomorrow.

The best place to develop your career
We’re one of the largest and most experienced land promotion businesses in the sector. You’ll be joining a brilliant team, in a successful company with a proven track record in acquiring land and delivering valuable planning consents. We’ve been running for over 125 years and have the values of the Wates family behind us. It’s a big factor in why we have the best reputation in the business.
We offer lots of opportunities across different roles in a wide range of areas, such as land specialists, who find sites for the business. Other roles include land and planning managers who secure allocations and planning consent once the site is secured. There are also commercial land managers who acquire sites for the logistics sector, technical managers, and accountants.
We have strong development paths for those joining as a graduate and want to support people who are keen to progress. If you’re interested in a particular area, we’ll give you all the help you need to become a specialist. Whatever your ambitions, there are lots of different ways to achieve them. Join us, and we’ll make sure you and your career thrive.

Our people thrive
Whether you have sector experience, fancy a career change, or are returning to work after a break, we’d love to hear from you.
In Land, ideally, we’d like you to have a relevant degree in property, planning, business or geography. Above all, you should have a keen interest in land, planning, and development.
In terms of experience, you might have worked with a property agency, as a consultant, housebuilder, or property developer. The most important thing is you need to be very personable, as it’s all about relationships and contacts. Someone who is externally presentable and can embody what Wates is all about.
Testimonials
Development Management Trainee
"I joined Wates with no prior industry experience, and it has been an incredible journey. Through the graduate scheme I worked in the Project team supporting the promotion of land through planning. I am also an active member of the Wates Women and Allies Steering Committee which I’ve gained invaluable insights from. Wates' dedication to excellence and innovative solutions have accelerated my learning curve while allowing me to expand my professional network. Their supportive culture and emphasis on development have made each challenge manageable and rewarding. I wholeheartedly recommend Wates for anyone seeking a dynamic career path with growth and opportunity.”
Divisional Commercial Manager
Location: Birmingham
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 20-03-2026
WPS is seeking an experienced Divisional Commercial Manager to lead the commercial function across a high-value Planned Works portfolio within the social housing sector.This is a senior, influential role with responsibility for a diverse mix of workstreams, including internal refurbishments, external planned works and Net Zero / decarbonisation programmes. You will provide strategic commercial leadership across multiple contracts, working closely with operational and client teams to ensure strong commercial control, risk management and profitable delivery.Key Responsibilities: Lead the commercial strategy and governance across multiple planned works contracts Full accountability for commercial performance on high-turnover, high-profile projects Manage, mentor and develop a commercial team across the region Provide commercial support to operational teams throughout the project lifecycle Oversee cost control, forecasting, valuations, variations and final accounts Ensure robust commercial risk management and compliance with company governance Build and maintain strong relationships with key, high-profile social housing clients Support margin improvement and continuous commercial best practice Contribute to business planning, work-winning support and long-term client relationshipsWorkstreams Covered: Internal Planned Works (kitchens, bathrooms, internal refurbishments) External Planned Works (windows, doors, roofing, envelope works) Net Zero / Decarbonisation programmesAbout You: Proven experience in a Divisional / Senior Commercial Manager role Strong background in social housing planned works Demonstrable experience managing large, complex and high-value contracts Confident leader with experience of managing and developing commercial teams High level of commercial acumen, with a strong understanding of cost, risk and value Comfortable working with senior internal stakeholders and client leadership teams Background in repairs and maintenance / planned maintenance is essentialWhat We Offer: Competitive senior-level salary and benefits package Opportunity to work on major, long-term social housing frameworks Exposure to Net Zero and future-focused investment programmes High-profile role with real influence across the business Long-term career development within a growing and stable organisationWhy Join WPS?WPS delivers essential planned investment programmes for social housing providers, with a strong reputation for quality, compliance and partnership working. This role offers the opportunity to play a pivotal part in shaping commercial performance across a key region and portfolioGiven the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Divisional Director
Location: Birmingham
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 20-03-2026
WPS has an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Divisional Director to lead our Responsive Maintenance operations across the West Midlands.This is a high-profile, senior leadership role with full accountability for a large, complex and high-value portfolio of social housing contracts. The successful candidate will take ownership of strategy, operational performance, commercial outcomes and people leadership, ensuring the division continues to deliver excellence for our clients while driving sustainable growth.You will lead multiple contracts and projects across the region, working closely with key clients, senior stakeholders and internal teams to ensure WPS remains a trusted, long-term partner in the social housing sector.Key Accountabilities: Full P&L responsibility for a high-turnover regional division Strategic leadership of multiple responsive maintenance contracts Ownership of operational performance, compliance and service delivery Lead, develop and inspire a large multi-disciplinary management team Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders Drive continuous improvement across productivity, quality, H&S and customer satisfaction Ensure commercial controls are robust, with effective cost, margin and risk management Contribute to regional and business-wide strategy, growth and mobilisation of new work Act as a visible, credible leader representing WPS at a regional and national levelAbout You: Proven experience in a Divisional Director / Operations Director / Regional Director role Strong background in repairs and maintenance within social housing Demonstrable experience managing high-value, high-profile contracts Track record of leading large, complex teams across multiple sites/contracts Strong commercial acumen with full P&L responsibility Confident operating at client board level and internal executive level Strategic thinker with a hands-on, delivery-focused leadership styleWhat We Offer: Competitive executive-level salary and benefits package A high-profile leadership role within a respected social housing contractor Significant autonomy and influence over regional strategy and delivery Opportunity to shape the future growth and performance of WPS in the West Midlands Long-term career opportunity within a stable, values-driven businessWhy WPS?WPS is a trusted delivery partner within the social housing sector, known for its commitment to quality, compliance and customer experience. This role offers a rare opportunity to lead a major regional operation, influence business strategy and leave a lasting legacy through strong leadership and performance.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Head of Design
Location: Redditch
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 20-03-2026
🌟 Head of Design🌟📍 Location: Midlands📁 Business Unit: WPS✨ About the RoleWe’re looking for a highly experienced and inspiring Head of Design to lead and elevate the Design Management function across our WPS business. This pivotal role carries full accountability for ensuring all design activity — including Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), retrofit, and planned maintenance programmes — meets the highest levels of technical excellence, safety, and regulatory compliance.You’ll drive continuous improvement, champion innovation, and strengthen business resilience while leading a talented team of Design Managers and Temporary Works specialists.If you thrive in a fast-paced technical environment and enjoy shaping best practice across a region-wide portfolio, we want to hear from you! 🚀What You’ll Do 🚀 Lead, motivate, and develop a team of Design Managers, ensuring clear standards, robust processes, and ongoing professional development. Oversee business-wide design governance, including compliance with the Building Safety Act, CDM 2015 and Golden Thread requirements. Approve key design deliverables, providing technical assurance, design risk management and buildability checks. Support project delivery teams through gateway reviews, resolving technical issues, and ensuring successful tender-to-handover outcomes. Drive continuous improvement, digital design practices, competency frameworks, and in-house technical training. Act as the senior escalation point for all design-related matters, working collaboratively with clients, consultants and supply chain partners.What You’ll Bring 💡 Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer (15+ years’ Tier 1 contractor experience). Strong track record delivering HRBs, remediation, retrofit, and planned maintenance projects. Deep knowledge of building safety regulations, design risk management, and digital design tools. A collaborative, influential leadership style with the ability to drive standards and performance.📢 Why Join Us?This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of Design Management across a major region within WPS. You’ll lead high-impact programmes, work with exceptional people, and play a critical role in ensuring safe, compliant, and innovative delivery across our built environment.How to Apply 📨If you're ready to take the next step and play a key role in shaping design leadership across the WPS business, apply now by submitting your CV and a brief summary of your experience.
Planning Manager
Location: London NW1
Job Type: Planning
Application Deadline: 12-03-2026
Wates are looking for a Planning Manager to join our Smartspace Team where we focus on delivering high-profile, technically complex refurb and fitout projects across multiple sectors.If you thrive in a collaborative team environment, have strong analytical and planning skills, and are ready to bring fresh ideas and challenge the norm, then join us and help to create tomorrow together.This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Planners play a vital role in shaping project success. As a Planning Manager, you will support the planning function across pre-construction and live projects, ensuring robust and coordinated delivery plans are in place.Key responsibilities include: Providing professional planning and programming support to pre-contract and project delivery teams. Developing and maintaining detailed project programmes using recognised planning tools. Collaborating with design, commercial, operational, and client teams to ensure integrated planning solutions. Supporting bid submissions with programme input and methodology. Monitoring progress and identifying risks or delays, proposing mitigation strategies. Contributing to continuous improvement by sharing best practices and innovative planning techniques.WHAT WE OFFER· Competitive salary & profit share scheme· Flexible working· Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade)· Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)· Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…· Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.· Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting